Pull-type V-shaped hay rake

ABSTRACT

A hay rake includes a crosswise member having a right section and a left section. A first rake arm has a front end and a back end, the first rake arm being pivotably mounted at its back end to the right section of the crosswise member so as to be moveable between an open position and a closed position. A second rake arm has a front end and a back end, the second rake arm being pivotably mounted at its back end to the left section of the crosswise member so as to be moveable between an open position and a closed position. A plurality of rotatable rake wheels are mounted on each of the first and second rake arms. The hay rake also includes first and a second actuators. The first actuator has a first section connected to the right section of the crosswise member and a second section connected to the first rake arm. The second actuator has a first section connected to the left section of the crosswise member and a second section connected to the second rake arm. Each actuator operates to move the rake arm to which it is connected between the open position and the closed position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application incorporates herein each of the followingreferences as fully as if set forth in their entirety:: U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/094,074, filed on Jun. 9, 1998, which issued asU.S. Pat. No. 6,000,207 on Dec. 14, 1999; and U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 08/594,615, filed on Feb. 2, 1996, which issued as U.S. Pat.No. 5,685,135 on Nov. 11, 1997.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a collapsible pull type V-shaped rakefor gathering hay.

2. Background Art

Collapsible V-shaped pull type hay rakes having two movable arms whichcarry multiple rake wheels and are hinged to a wheeled cross bar, ratherthan a main frame, are known. A common characteristic of these rakes isthat the movable hinged arms, which carry the rake wheels, can assumedifferent positions. In particular, the arms can open to a “V” shapewhen the rake is in the working position, and move closer together orbecome entirely closed for purposes of maneuvering, transportation andstorage. The opening and closing motion of the arms is generallyaccomplished manually, or, automatically, through a hydraulic cylinder.In some instances the hay maker arms can be operated independently ofone another, to give even more flexibility to the operation of themachine. U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,1,35, for example, discloses a collapsibleV-shaped pull-type hay rake in which each rake arm is opened or closedby the action of an individual hydraulic cylinder which acts directly onit and is attached at one end to the rake arm and at the other end tothe central tow bar of the hay rake. While this mechanism is efficientwith respect to opening and closing of the rake arms, it requires thatthe hydraulic cylinders have sufficient operating range to ensure asufficient opening of the rake arms. The hydraulic cylinders that areavailable having such an operating range are costly, very heavy,delicate and usually need constant maintenance. Furthermore, this typeof rake necessarily requires the presence of a sturdy central tow bar.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a “V” shaped towable hay rake having acrosswise member and two rake arms, one mounted to the left end, and theother mounted to the right end of the crosswise member so as to bemoveable between an open position and a closed position, where the rakearms are maneuvered between the open and closed position by the actionof two actuators, preferably double-acting hydraulic cylinders, oneconnected at one end to the right rake arm and at the other end to thecrosswise member, and the other connected at one end to the left rakearm and at the other end to the crosswise member.

This feature allows for the use of relatively small and compactactuators. It also allows for a very simple opening and closingmechanism for the rake arms having a minimized number of moving partsand joints. In addition, due to the position of the actuators near thecrosswise member, and the arrangement of the actuators at a distancefrom the rake wheels mounted to the rake arms, the actuators are lessprone to get dirty and are protected from mechanical harm. Theconnection of the actuator between the crosswise member and the rakearms also gives the hay rake a better stability and enables the hay raketo be used in a bifold rake mode, by opening both aims, or in a singlerake mode, by only opening one arm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference tothe accompanying drawings, a brief description of which follows:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the towable hay rake ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of another embodiment of the towable bayrake according to the present invention;

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the towablehay rake according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a detail of the right section of thecrosswise member of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of a hydraulic system which may be appliedin the hay rake of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A to 4F show one embodiment of a hydraulic control system whichmay be employed to open and close both of the hay rake armssimultaneously or individually;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the crosswise member ofthe towable hay rake of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the towable hay rakeof the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a plan view of another embodiment of the towable hay rakeof the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows a plan view of another embodiment of the towable hay rakeaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A and 8B show the towable hay rake of FIG. 8 in an upper and alower perspective view, respectively;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective rear view of an embodiment of the crossbar ofthe towable hay rake of the present invention;

FIG. 10 shows a rear view of an embodiment of the wheeled crossbar ofthe hay rake of the present invention which is equipped with telescopingcylinders for lengthening and shortening the crossbar and is secured inthe narrower position;

FIG. 10A shows a rear view of an embodiment of the wheeled crossbar ofthe hay rake shown in FIG. 10, where the telescoping cylinders forlengthening and shortening the crossbar is secured in the widerposition;

FIG. 11 shows a top plan view of another embodiment of the towable hayrake of the invention;

FIG. 12 shows a top perspective view of another embodiment of thetowable hay rake of the present invention;

FIG. 13 shows a top perspective view of yet another embodiment of thetowable hay rake of the present invention;

FIG. 14 shows a top perspective view of yet another embodiment of thetowable hay rake of the present invention;

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of yet another embodiment of thetowable hay rake of the present invention; and

FIGS. 16A to 16C show side and rear views of yet another embodiment ofthe towable hay rake of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For ease of reference the same reference numbers are used to designatethe same or corresponding elements throughout the Figures.

Referring to FIG. 1, one exemplary embodiment of the rake of theinvention includes a wheeled crosswise member 1. The crosswise member 1has a right section 2 and a left section 3. A first rake arm 4 having afront end 5 and a back end 6 is pivotably mounted at its back end 6 tothe right section 2 of the crosswise member 1 so as to be moveablebetween an open position and a closed position. The position depicted inFIG. 1 is an intermediate position between the open position and theclosed position. A second rake arm 7 having a front end 8 and a back end9 is pivotably mounted at its back end 9 to the left section 3 of thecrosswise member 1 so as to be moveable between an open position and aclosed position. As with the first rake arm 4, the second rake arm 7 isdepicted in FIG. 1 in an intermediate position between the closedposition and the open position. A plurality of rotatable haymaker wheels10 are mounted to each of the first and second rake arms 4 and 7. Afirst double acting actuator 11 has a first section 12 connected to theright section 2 of the crosswise member 1 and a second section 13connected to the first rake arm 4. The reference character 14 designatesa second double acting actuator. The second double acting actuator 14has a first section 15 connected to the left section 3 of crosswisemember 1 and a second section 16 connected to the second rake arm 7.When actuators 11 and 14 are actuated such that their respective firstand second sections 12, 13 and 15, 16 are extended, the first and secondrake arms 4 and 5 move from the open position depicted in FIG. 1 towardsthe closed position, in which the hay rake is easy to transport andmaneuver. When actuators 11 and 14 are activated such that theirrespective first and second sections 12, 13 and 15, 16 are retracted,the rake arms 4 and 7 move toward the open position. Actuators 11 and 14may be activated simultaneously or independently of each other. In thisway rake arms 4 and 7 may be moved from the open position to the closedposition and back, and to all incremental positions therebetween andback.

The arrangement of the first and second actuators 11 and 14 betweenright and left sections 2 and 3 of the crosswise number 1 and therespective first and second rake arms 4 and 7 advantageously allows forthe use of only one actuator 11, 14 for each of the first and secondrake arms 4 and 7 without any moving parts between the first and secondactuators 11 and 14 and the respective first and second rake arms 4 and7. Due to the fact that the first and second actuators 11 and 14 aredirectly connected to the crosswise member 1 and the first and secondrake arms 4 and 7, the number of moving parts is minimized. In additionto that, only three joints are employed for each side, e.g., for eachrake arm of the first and second rake arms 4 and 7. For the right side,e.g., for the first rake arm 4, there is one joint between the firstrake arm 4 and the right section 2 of the crosswise member 1, there is asecond joint between the first section 12 of the first actuator 11 andthe right section 2 of the crosswise member 1 and there is a third jointbetween the second section 13 of the first actuator 11 and the firstrake arm 4. The same arrangement may be employed for the left side. Thisallows for a simple and stable arrangement of the hay rake which is easyto manufacture and easy to maintain. Furthermore, due to the connectionof the first sections 12 and 15 of the first and second actuators 11 and14 at a greater distance from the center section 17 than the connectionof the first and second rake arms 4 and 7, the first and secondactuators 11 and 14 may have minimized dimensions with respect to theiroperating range and their power. For the purposes of clarity only, thehay rake illustrated in FIG. 1 is shown without a towbar. However, itshould be understood that a towbar, various different embodiments andconfigurations of which are described hereinbelow, maybe employed topull the hay rake.

FIG. 2 shows another exemplary embodiment of the hay rake of the presentinvention. In FIG. 2, a towable hay rake includes a wheeled crosswisemember 1 to which are connected right and left rake arms 4 and 7. Rightand left sections 2 and 3 of the crosswise member 1 include right andleft supports 100 to which wheels are attached. In the exemplaryembodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the supports 100 are rectangular rods.Right and left triangular support plates 101 are respectively attachedto the supports 100. On each of the support plates 101, there is a pivot102. The rake arms 4 and 7 are attached to the pivots 102, so that therake arms 4 and 7 can pivot around the pivots 102. Furthermore, eachsupport plate 101 has another pivot 103 connected to first and secondactuators 11 and 14 which are connected to push rods 104 and 105. Thefirst and second actuators 11 and 14 deploy the rake arms 4 and 7. Thepivots 103 are placed adjacent to pivots 102 on the support plate 101,but may be also placed at any location that affords sufficient leverageto move the rake arms 4 and 7. The first and second actuators 11 and 14are preferably dual action hydraulic actuators which may be operatedjointly or alone, depending on whether one or both rake arms 4 and 8must be opened or closed.

Push rods 104 and 105 are respectively connected to the rake arms 4 and7 by means of a plurality of attachment elements 106. A plurality ofhaymaker wheels 10 are attached to rake arms 4 and 7, so that they canrotate to collect the hay. Wheels 20 are attached to rake arms 4 and 7as well as to the crosswise member 1.

As mentioned above, the actuators 11 and 14 are preferably dual action,so that they can extend and retract the component to which they areconnected. In the depicted exemplary embodiment, the actuators 11 and 14are hydraulic cylinders operated by fluid pressure. However, theactuators may also be manually operable, for example by a hand crank. Aconnection between the crosswise member 1 and the supports 100 may bethe same as shown in FIG. 6, which is discussed in greater detail below.

In addition, FIG. 2 illustrates one example of a towbar 300 having aneyelet 301 or other type of connection element for enabling the hay raketo be towable. Various types of towbars may be employed to tow the hayrake, some of which are described in further detail hereinbelow, and thepresent invention is not intended to be limited to only a single type orconfiguration of towbar. In the embodiment shown, towbar 300 includes apair of stabilization elements 302 that assist in stabilizing the hayrake arms 4 and 7. Again, various types of stabilization elements may beemployed to stabilize the hay rake arms 4 and 7 of the hay rake, some ofwhich are described in further detail hereinbelow, and the presentinvention is not intended to be limited to only a single type orconfiguration of stabilization element. FIG. 2A illustrates the hay rakeof FIG. 2 in the perspective view.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the right section 2 of the crosswisemember 1 of FIG. 2 with the support 100. In FIG. 3, two wheels 20 areattached to support 100. There are two support plates 101 (an uppersupport plate and a lower support plate) attached to the support 100 ata location above the wheels 20 and underneath the crosswise member 1,which is outside the view of FIG. 3. The support plates 101 are attachedto the support 100, e.g., by a welding connection. The support plates101 are attached to the support 100 such that a main plane of thesupport plates is parallel to the ground when the hay rake is inoperation. The support plates 101 are disposed from each other at adistance such that the end 6 of the rake arm 4 (the right rake arm ofthe hay rake) to be connected to the right section 2 of the crosswisemember 1 (to the support plate 101 and therewith to the support 100 andtherewith to the crosswise member 1) fits between the two support plates101. The rake arm 4 is attached to the support plates 101 by means of ashaft 111 which is received in openings in the upper support plate 101and the lower support plate 101, and which sits in an opening in therake arm 4. Pivot 102 is thus formed, allowing the rake arm 4 to rotatearound the shaft 111 of the pivot 102.

At a distance from the shaft 111, there are provided further openings inthe upper and lower support plates 101. In these further openings, thereis provided a further shaft 112 to form the pivot 103. Attached to theshaft 112, there is the first section 12 of the first actuator 11. Thesecond section 13 of the first actuator 11 is connected by means of ahinge 113 to the push rod 104 which is connected to the rake arm 4 bymeans of the attachment elements 106. As shown, e.g., in FIG. 2, aplurality of attachment elements 106 may be provided. Furthermore, thereare provided hydraulic lines I 10 which are connected to the firstactuator 11 which is a dual action hydraulic cylinder in this exemplaryembodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, when the first actuator 11is actuated by providing a hydraulic fluid pressure to the firstactuator 11 via the hydraulic lines 110, the right rake arm 4 isswivelled around the shaft 111 of the pivot 102. The attachments of theleft and right rake arms 4 and 7 to the crosswise member 1 preferablyhave the same configurations.

An exemplary embodiment of a hydraulic control system for first andsecond actuators 11 and 14 will now be described with reference to FIG.4, which may be used in any of the embodiments described in thisapplication. A hydraulic power divider 52 divides the hydraulic fluidflow provided via hydraulic lines 110 from a hydraulic pressure sourcethat is not shown in FIG. 4 between first and second actuators 11 and14. Hydraulic shutoff valves 56, 54 are connected respectively to thefirst and second actuators 11 and 14, and are used to shut off the flowto those actuators 11 and 14, to lock the movement of the first andsecond actuators 11 and 14 when pressurized hydraulic fluid is notsupplied or when the pressure of the hydraulic fluid is not sufficientto effectively actuate the first and second actuators 11 and 14. In oneembodiment of the present invention, hydraulic shut off valves 54, 56are automatic. However, in an alternative of this exemplary embodiment,hydraulic shutoff valves 54, 56 are activated whenever the pressure inthe hydraulic lines 51 falls below a predetermined level, or may bemanually operated whenever the operator wants to lock one or both of thefirst and second actuators 11 and 14. Further, for example, control unit45 may be provided to control an operation of these, or any other,valves provided in the hay rake. Again, FIG. 4 illustrates a towbar 300having an eyelet 301 and a pair of stabilization elements, although anytype of tow arrangement may be employed.

FIGS. 4A to 4E illustrate a hydraulic control arrangement that may beemployed, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, inorder to simultaneously or independently actuate the hay rake arms. Itshould be understood that the hydraulic control arrangement describedhereinbelow may be employed to operate any type of rake having anopening mechanism that employs two hydraulic cylinders. According tothis embodiment, a hydraulic controller 58 is provided that employs ahydraulic flux divider and a valve in order to selectively control theactuation of the actuators 11 and 14, and to thereby control the openingand closing of the hay rake arms 4 and 7. The hydraulic controller 58includes a selector handle 306, which may alternatively be a switch,dial or any other type of instrument actuatable by an operator, thatenables an operator to select between various, e.g., three, positions.For instance, FIG. 4D shows the hydraulic controller 58 having theselector switch in a first position labeled A. In the position labeledA, the hydraulic controller 58 is configured to actuate both hay rakearms 4 and 7 simultaneously, as is illustrated in FIG. 4A. FIG. 4A showsthat, in a preferred arrangement of this embodiment, the towbar 300includes first and second towbar rods 300 a and 300 b. On each of thetowbar rods 300 a and 300 b is slideably mounted a respective connectionelement 303 a and 303 b. The connection elements 303 a and 303 b arerotatably coupled to first and second stabilization elements 302 a and302 b, respectively. When actuated simultaneously, as illustrated inFIG. 4A, the connection elements 303 a and 303 b slideably travel intandem along their respective towbar rods 300 a and 300 b.

FIG. 4E shows the hydraulic controller 58 having the selector switch ina second position labeled B. In the position labeled B, the hydrauliccontroller 58 is configured to actuate the hay rake arm 4 independentlyof the hay rake arm 7, as is illustrated in FIG. 4B. FIG. 4B shows that,when the hay rake arm 4 is actuated so as to assume the open position,the connection element 303 a slideably traverses along its respectivetowbar rod 300 a, while the connection element 303 b corresponding tothe hay rake arm 7, which is in the closed position, is parked at an endof its respective towbar rod 300 b.

FIG. 4F, on the other hand, shows the hydraulic controller 58 having theselector switch in a second position labeled C. In the position labeledC, the hydraulic controller 58 is configured to actuate the hay rake arm7 independently of the hay rake arm 4, as is illustrated in FIG. 4C.FIG. 4C shows that, when the hay rake arm 7 is actuated so as to assumethe open position, the connection element 303 b slideably traversesalong its respective towbar rod 300 b, while the connection element 303a corresponding to the hay rake arm 4, which is in the closed position,is parked at an end of its respective towbar rod 300 a.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of the crosswise member 1 that maybe used in any exemplary embodiment of the invention described in thisapplication. In FIG. 5, the right and left sections 2 and 3 of thecrosswise member 1 can telescope in and out of the center section 17 ofcrosswise member 1. Third and fourth dual action actuators 32, 34respectively operate right and left sections 2 and 3, to extend andretract them thus changing the track of the towed hay rake. Each of theright and left sections 2 and 3 can be extended alone or together withthe other one of the right and left sections 2 and 3, depending on therequired configuration of the hay rake.

FIG. 6 shows another exemplary embodiment of the hay rake of theinvention including a hydraulic power divider mechanism to dividehydraulic flow (provided by a pressure source which is not shown in FIG.6) between the third and fourth actuators 32 and 34, which are hydraulicactuators in this exemplary embodiment, and further shows the connectionof the crosswise member to the supports 100. The supports 100 arerespectively connected to the right and left sections 2 and 3 of thecrosswise member 1 by means of appendages 120 respectively provided atthe right and left sections 2, 3, and bolts 121 slide through openingsin the appendages 120 and the supports 100.

In FIG. 6, there is further provided a power divider valve 42 that isoperated by control unit 45. The power divider valve 42 divides the flowbetween the third and fourth actuators 32, 34. In this exemplaryembodiment, the third and fourth actuators 32, 34 are placed adjacent tothe crosswise member 1, however, they could be placed in other suitableposition. For example, the third and fourth actuators 32, 34 could beplaced inside hollow parts of the crosswise member 1. Power dividervalve 42 is used to control whether one or both of third and fourthactuators 32, 34 are operated, and whether they are extended orretracted. Hydraulic shutoff valves 44, 46 are associated with the thirdand fourth actuators 32, 34, and are used to block movement of thecorresponding actuator of the third and fourth actuators 32, 34 whenpressurized fluid is not provided. This prevents unwanted movement ofthe right and left sections 2 and 3 of the crosswise member 1. Accordingto one embodiment of the present invention, the hydraulic shutoff valves44, 46 are automatic. However, in alternatives of this exemplaryembodiment, the hydraulic shutoff valves 44, 46 may be operatedautomatically when the pressure in hydraulic lines 40 is low, when thereis no pressure provided, or may be operated by the control unit 45 inresponse to preselected conditions. In a further alternative of thisexemplary embodiment, shutoff valves 44, 46 are manually operated, tomanually prevent extension and retraction of the right and left sections2 and 3. A set of control valves 46, each associated with one of thethird and fourth actuators 32, 34, is provided to ensure synchronous andsymmetric movement of the third and fourth actuators 32, 34, when suchmovement is required.

FIG. 7 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the hay rake according tothe present invention. The hay rake shown in FIG. 7 is essentiallysimilar to the hay rake shown in FIG. 2, except that there is provided alongitudinal towing arm 60. The towing arm 60 has one end 62 attached tothe center section 17 of crosswise member 1, and another end 64 withappropriate connections such as a towing eyelet to be attached to atowing vehicle such as a tractor.

FIG. 8 shows a further exemplary embodiment of hay rake according to thepresent invention. FIG. 8 shows a towable hay rake essentially similarto the hay rake shown in FIG. 7 with the exception that additionalhaymaker wheels 68 are attached directly to the towing arm 60. In FIG.8, there are provided two additional haymaker wheels 68, one on the leftside of the towing arm 60 and one on the right side of the towing arm60. The additional haymaker wheels 68 are attached to levers 69 that areswivel mounted to the towing arm 60 by means of joints such that theymay be swivelled from an operating position, where they are extendingfrom the towing arm 60, into a transport position, where they areabutted against the towing arm 60 such that the right and left rake arms4 and 7 can be pivoted into positions close to the towing arm 60. Thisexemplary embodiment allows for a very efficient hay raking operation aswell as for a small size of the hay rake, when the hay rake istransported from, for example, one field to another. In general,haymaker wheels 10 can be placed on right and left rake arms 4 and 7facing the respective other rake arm 4 or 7, as shown in the drawings,or can be placed on the opposite side, facing away from the hay rake. Inaddition, the use of such additional hay making wheels can be employedon any of the types of towbars illustrated herein, as well as on thevarious parts of the stabilization arrangements illustrated herein.FIGS. 8A and 8B show the additional hay making wheels 68 in an upper anda lower perspective view, respectively.

FIG. 9 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the hay rake according tothe present invention. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9,crosswise member 1 is fitted with third and fourth actuators 32′, 34′that are manually operated. In this exemplary embodiment, third andfourth actuators 32′, 34′ are dual action screw jacks connected tocenter section 17 at one end, and respectively to right and leftsections 2 and 3 on the other end. In FIG. 9, both screw jacks 32′, 34′are actuated by a ratchet mechanism 70 attached to center section 17,which is manually operated by the operator using lever 72. In analternative of this embodiment, separate levers and ratchets may be usedfor each actuator 32′, 34′.

FIGS. 10 and 10A show an exemplary embodiment of a mechanism forlengthening and shortening the crosswise member 1. The crosswise member1 is shown in a closed configuration in FIG. 10, and in an openconfiguration in FIG. 10A. Right and left sections 2 and 3 of crosswisemember 1 are slidably movable with respect to center section 17. In thisexemplary embodiment, a fifth actuator 76 is attached at one end tocenter section 17. A balance arm 78 is pivotally attached to centersection 17, and has one end 84 to which actuator 76 pivotally attaches.A first rod 80 is pivotally attached at one extremity to end 84 ofbalance arm 78, and at the other extremity to right section 2.Similarly, a second rod 82 is attached at one extremity to opposite end86 of balance arm 78, and at the other extremity to left section 3. Asseen in FIG. 10, operation of fifth actuator 76 causes both right andleft sections 2 and 3 to slide in synchronous manner, thus opening orclosing crosswise member 1. Furthermore, there are provided stabilizers151 between the supports 100 and the crosswise member 1 allowing for animproved stability with respect to the torsion of the supports 100.

In an alternative of this embodiment, a similar configuration can beformed where a sixth actuator, similar to fifth actuator 76, attaches toend 86 of the balance arm 78. Also, both fifth and sixth actuators maybe present. The fifth and sixth actuators may be dual action hydrauliccylinders, or may be manually operated screw jacks.

FIG. 11 shows a further exemplary embodiment of hay rake according tothe present invention. FIG. 11 shows a towable hay rake essentiallysimilar to the hay rake shown in FIG. 2 with the exception that there isprovided a towing arrangement 200. The towing arrangement 200 includes afirst beam 201 and a second beam 202, each having an inner and an outerend. The outer end of each of the first and second beams 201 and 202 isconnected to appendages 203 and 204 via joints 205 and 206. The joints205 and 206 allow a rotational movement of the beams 201 and 202 withrespect to the appendages 203 and 204. The appendages 203 and 204 areconnected to the first and second rake arms 4 and 7. The inner ends ofthe beams 201 and 202 are connected to a towing vehicle connector 207.On the front side of the vehicle connector 207, there is provided asuitable connecting means for connecting the hay rake to a vehicle, suchas a towing eyelet. On the back side of the vehicle connector, there areprovided two joints 208 and 209 connecting the beams 201 and 202 to thevehicle connector 207. When the first and second rake arms 4 and 7 aremoved from the open position to the closed position, due to the joints205, 206, 208 and 209, the towing arrangement is folded into the closing“V” shape of the hay rake. To the contrary, when the first and secondrake arms 4 and 7 are opened towards the open position, the towingarrangement is folded out such that a vehicle can be connected to thevehicle connector 207. This embodiment allows for a hay rake, that isvery compact in the closed position.

FIG. 12 shows a further exemplary embodiment of hay rake according tothe present invention. FIG. 12 shows a towable hay rake essentiallysimilar to the hay rake shown in FIG. 7 with the exception that there isprovided a stabilizing arrangement 220. The stabilizing arrangement 220includes beams 221 and 222 that are connected via appendages 223 and 224to the first and second rake arms 4 and 7. The connection between thebeams 221 and 222 and the appendages 223 and 224 is realized by means ofjoints 225 and 226 that allow a rotational movement of the beams 221 and222 about the joints 225 and 226. Inner ends of the beams 221 and 222are connected to a sliding plate 227 which is resting on a slidingsection 260 on the towing arm 60. The beams 221 and 222 are connected tothe sliding plate 227 by means of joints 228 and 229 that allow arotational movement of the beams about the joints 228 and 229. Thesliding section 260 is an elevated section of the towing arm 60 which isadapted to support the sliding plate 227. At middle sections 230 and 231of the beams 221 and 222, there are provided further rotational joints232 and 233. At a distance from the joints 228 and 229 on the slidingplate 227 in a direction toward the crosswise member 1, there areprovided two further rotational joints 234 and 235 on the sliding plate227. Between the joints 232 and 234 on one side, and between the joints233 and 235 on the other side, there are provided dampers 236 and 237.

When the rake arms 4 and 7 are moved from the closed position towardsthe open position, the sliding plate 227 slides on the sliding section260 of the towing arm 60 towards the crosswise member 1. As a result,the dampers 236 and 237 are expanded. When the rake arms 4 and 7 aremoved from the open position towards the closed position, the slidingplate 227 slides on the sliding section 260 of the towing arm 60 in adirection away from the crosswise member 1. As a result, the dampers 236and 237 are contracted. The dampers 236 and 237 are preferably two waydampers that have a damping action in the expanding direction and thecontracting direction. This allows for a stable movement of the firstand second rake arms between the open and closed position and for astable hay rake.

FIG. 13 shows a further exemplary embodiment of hay rake according tothe present invention. FIG. 13 shows a towable hay rake essentiallysimilar to the hay rake shown in FIG. 12 with the exception that thebeams 221 and 222 are connected to the joints 234 and 235 of the slidingplate 227 on the side of the sliding plate 227 facing the crosswisemember 1. Furthermore, the damper 236 is connected to and between joint229 of the sliding plate 227 and a joint 240 at the appendage 223 andthe damper 237 is connected to and between joint 228 of the slidingplate 227 and a joint 241 at the appendage 224. This arrangementprovides for a very stable hay rake.

FIG. 14 shows a further exemplary embodiment of hay rake according tothe present invention. FIG. 14 shows a towable hay rake essentiallysimilar to the hay rake shown in FIG. 12 with the exception that thebeams 221 and 222 are not connected directly to appendages 223 and 224by means of joints 225 and 226. In FIG. 14, beam 221 is connected to oneend of a further beam 250 by means of a rotational joint 251. Anotherend of the further beam 250 is connected to appendage 223 by the joint225. Furthermore, in FIG. 14, beam 222 is connected to one end of afurther beam 252 by means of a rotational joint 253. Another end of thefurther beam 252 is connected to appendage 224 by the joint 226.

FIG. 15 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the hay rake accordingto the present invention. FIG. 15 shows a towable hay rake essentiallysimilar to the hay rake shown in FIG. 13 except that between theappendages 223 and 224, there are provided further beams 270 and 273. Indetail, the damper 236 and the beam 221 are connected to the furtherbeam 270 by means of rotational joints 271 and 272, respectively. Thefurther beam 270 is connected to the appendage 223 via joint 225.Furthermore, the damper 237 and the beam 222 are connected to thefurther beam 273 by means of rotational joints 274 and 275,respectively. The further beam 273 is connected to the appendage 224 viajoint 226.

FIGS. 16A to 16C illustrate a hay rake in accordance with still anotherembodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, thehay rake is provided with a flexibility system that reduces the stresson the various components of the hay rake when the hay rake is operatedon uneven terrain. For instance, FIG. 16A is a side view thatillustrates the hay rake being pulled, on even terrain, by a tractor viathe towbar 300. As shown in the figure, the hay rake further includes arotatable connection 400 at the location where the hay rake arm, e.g.,hay rake arm 4, connects to the crosswise member 1. On even terrain, therotatable connection 400 enables the hay rake arm 4 to be connected tothe crosswise member 1 such that the support 100 is substantiallyperpendicular to the towbar 300. FIG. 16C illustrates a first rotatableconnection 400a rotatably connecting the crosswise member 1 to support100 a which supports hay rake arm 7, and a second rotatable connection400 b rotatably connecting the crosswise member 1 to support 100 b whichsupports the hay rake arm 4. FIG. 16B is another side view thatillustrates the hay rake being pulled by a tractor via the towbar 300,but in this figure, the hay rake is being pulled over uneven terrain. Asshown in FIG. 16B, when the hay rake is pulled over uneven terrain, therotatable connection 400 enables the supports 100 to rotate relative tothe crosswise member 1. Thus, the support 100 is not maintained in asubstantially perpendicular position relative to the towbar 300, butinstead the hay rake arm 4 is permitted to be raised or lowered inaccordance with the terrain. Because, in the embodiment shown in FIGS.16A to 16C, each support 100 a and 100 b is rotatably mounted to thecrosswise member 1 by respective rotatable connections 400 a and 400 b,the hay rake arms 4 and 7 are independently raised or lowered dependingon the terrain. For instance, the rotatable connection 400a may enablethe hay rake arm 7 to be lowered while simultaneously the rotatableconnection 400 b may enable the hay rake arm 4 to be raised, or viceversa.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the structure and themethodology of the present invention, without departing from the spiritor scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the presentinvention cover the modifications and variations of this inventionprovided they come within the scope of the appended claims and theirequivalents.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A hay rake comprising: a crosswise member having aright section and a left section; a first rake arm having a front endand a back end, the first rake arm being pivotably mounted at its backend to the right section of the crosswise member so as to be moveablebetween an open position and a closed position; a second rake arm havinga front end and a back end, the second rake arm being pivotably mountedat its back end to the left section of the crosswise member so as to bemoveable between an open position and a closed position; a plurality ofrotatable rake wheels mounted on each of the first and second rake arms;and first and a second actuators, the first actuator having a firstsection connected to the right section of the crosswise member and asecond section connected to the first rake arm, and the second actuatorhaving a first section connected to the left section of the crosswisemember and a second section connected to the second rake arm, whereineach actuator is extendable so as to move the rake arm to which it isconnected from the open position to the closed position and any positiontherebetween, and is retractable so as to move the rake arm to which itis connected from the closed position to the open position and anyposition therebetween.
 22. The hay rake according to claim 21, whereinthe first and second actuators are double acting actuators.
 23. The hayrake according to claim 22, wherein the first and second actuators aredual action hydraulic cylinders.
 24. The hay rake according to claim 21,wherein the actuators are configured to be simultaneously actuated, soas to simultaneously move the first and second rake arms.
 25. The hayrake according to claim 21, wherein the actuators are configured to beindependently actuated, so as to independently move the first and secondrake arms.
 26. The hay rake according to claim 21, wherein the actuatorsare configured to be selectively actuated simultaneously orindependently, so as to one of simultaneously and independently move thefirst and second rake arms.
 27. The hay rake according to claim 23,further comprising a hydraulic power divider for dividing an actuatinghydraulic fluid between the first and second hydraulic cylinders. 28.The hay rake according to claim 23, further comprising automatichydraulic lock valves associated with the first and second hydrauliccylinders, the hydraulic lock valves blocking movement of thecorresponding first and second hydraulic cylinders when actuatinghydraulic fluid is not being supplied to the corresponding first andsecond hydraulic cylinders.
 29. The hay rake according to claim 23,further comprising a first manual shutoff valve associated with thefirst hydraulic cylinder and a second manual shutoff valve associatedwith the second hydraulic cylinder, the first manual shutoff valveinterrupting a flow of actuating hydraulic fluid to the first hydrauliccylinder to thereby block a movement of the first hydraulic cylinder andthe second manual shutoff valve interrupting a flow of actuatinghydraulic fluid to the second hydraulic cylinder to thereby block amovement of the second hydraulic cylinder.
 30. The hay rake according toclaim 23, further comprising a control valve for each of the first andsecond hydraulic cylinders, the control valves providing synchronous andsymmetrical movements of the right and left sections of the rake arms.31. The hay rake according to claim 21, further comprising a towbarconnected to a center section of the crosswise member.
 32. A hay rakecomprising: a crosswise member having a right section and a leftsection; a first rake arm having a front end and a back end, the firstrake arm being pivotably mounted at its back end to the right section ofthe crosswise member so as to be moveable between an open position and aclosed position; a second rake arm having a front end and a back end,the second rake arm being pivotably mounted at its back end to the leftsection of the crosswise member so as to be moveable between an openposition and a closed position; a plurality of rotatable rake wheelsmounted on each of the first and second rake arms; and first and asecond actuators, the first actuator having a first section connected tothe right section of the crosswise member and a second section connectedto the first rake arm, and the second actuator having a first sectionconnected to the left section of the crosswise member and a secondsection connected to the second rake arm, wherein each actuator operatesto move the rake arm to which it is connected between the open positionand the closed position; right and left sections of the crosswise memberattached telescopically to respective opposite ends of a center sectionof the crosswise member, such that each of the right and left sectionsare movable between an extended and a retracted position; a thirdactuator connecting the center section of the crosswise member to theright section of the crosswise member; and a fourth actuator connectingthe center section of the crosswise member to the left section of thecrosswise member, wherein the third and fourth actuators move the rightand left sections between the extended and the retracted positions. 33.The hay rake according to claim 32, further comprising: a balance armhaving two ends, the balance arm being rotatably connected, to thecenter section of the crosswise member at a point substantially halfwaybetween the right end and the left end of the center section, a firstrod having an outer end and an inner end; and a second rod having anouter end and an inner end, wherein the inner end and the outer end ofthe first rod are rotatably connected to the first end of the balancearm and to the right section of the crosswise member, respectively, andwherein the inner end and outer end of the second rod are rotatablyconnected to the second end of the balance arm and to the left sectionof the crosswise member, respectively.
 34. The hay rake according toclaim 32, further comprising a fifth actuator having a first sectionconnected to the center section of the crosswise member and a secondsection connected to the first end of the balance arm and a sixthactuator having a first section connected to the center section of thecrosswise member and a second section connected to the second end of thebalance arm.
 35. The hay rake according to claim 33, wherein the fifthand sixth actuators are selected from a group consisting of a manualdual-action screw jack and a dual action hydraulic cylinder.
 36. The hayrake according to claim 32, further comprising: a vehicle connector; anda first beam and a second beam, wherein the vehicle connector isconnected to the first rake arm by the first beam and wherein thevehicle connector is connected to the second rake arm by the secondbeam.
 37. The hay rake according to claim 32, further comprising astabilizing arrangement, the stabilizing arrangement including a firstdamper for damping a movement of the first rake arm and a second damperfor damping a movement of the second rake arm.
 38. The hay rakeaccording to claim 32, wherein each of the first and the second hay rakearms are mounted to the crosswise member by respective verticalsupports, wherein each of the vertical supports are pivotable relativeto the crosswise member around a substantially horizontal axis.
 39. Thehay rake according to claim 32, further comprising: a towbar connectedto the crosswise member and configured for towing the hay rake, whereineach of the first and the second hay rake arms are pivotable relative tothe towbar.
 40. A hay rake comprising: a crosswise member having a rightsection and a left section; a first rake arm having a front end and aback end, the first rake arm being pivotably mounted at its back end tothe right section of the crosswise member so as to be moveable betweenan open position and a closed position; a second rake arm having a frontend and a back end, the second rake arm being pivotably mounted at itsback end to the left section of the crosswise member so as to bemoveable between an open position and a closed position; a plurality ofrotatable rake wheels mounted on each of the first and second rake arms;and first and a second actuators, the first actuator having a firstsection connected to the right section of the crosswise member and asecond section connected to the first rake arm, and the second actuatorhaving a first section connected to the left section of the crosswisemember and a second section connected to the second rake arm, whereineach actuator operates to move the rake arm to which it is connectedhorizontally between the open position and the closed position.
 41. Thehay rake according to claim 40, wherein the first and second actuatorsare double acting actuators.
 42. The hay rake according to claim 41,wherein the first and second actuators are dual action hydrauliccylinders.